The world's first variety of Boursin, [1] was created in 1957 in Normandy by Francois Boursin. Inspired by a long-standing traditional dish, fromage frais (fresh cheese), in which guests mixed their own seasoned cheese from a bowl of fine herbs, the expert cheese maker introduced Boursin Garlic & Fine Herbs. His recipe quickly became the first flavored fresh cheese to be sold throughout France. Boursin cheese was first developed in Normandy,[2] and at one time was produced exclusively in Croisy-sur-Eure, France, by the Boursin company. In 1990, the Boursin name was acquired by Unilever who sold it to Groupe Bel in November 2007 for 400 million euros.[3] The cheese is still produced in the United States for North American distribution by Unilever.

The brand was advertised on television using the slogan: « Du pain, du vin, du Boursin » (English: "Some bread, some wine, some Boursin"). Later this slogan was replaced with « Du pain, du Boursin, tout est bien » ("Some bread, some Boursin, all is well.")